U.S. patent number 9,220,542 [Application Number 13/713,137] was granted by the patent office on 2015-12-29 for system and method for a lockable polyaxial driver tool.
This patent grant is currently assigned to TECOMET, INC. The grantee listed for this patent is Guillaume Kerboul, James William Truscott, Stuart G. Weekes. Invention is credited to Guillaume Kerboul, James William Truscott, Stuart G. Weekes.
United States Patent |
9,220,542 |
Kerboul , et al. |
December 29, 2015 |
System and method for a lockable polyaxial driver tool
Abstract
A polyaxial driver system for inserting and setting the angular
orientation of an implant includes an elongated component and a
distal component. The elongated component extends along a main axis
and includes an elongated tubular sheath and an elongated shaft
disposed within the tubular sheath. The distal component is
pivotally connected to a distal end of the elongated shaft and
includes a tubular body extending along the main axis and a
spherical head dimensioned to fit and move freely within the
tubular body. A proximal end of the elongated shaft includes a
first set of outer threads and a proximal end of the elongated
tubular sheath includes inner threads shaped and dimensioned to
engage the first set of outer threads of the elongated shaft.
Rotating the elongated tubular sheath clockwise or
counter-clockwise moves the elongated shaft forward or backward
along the main axis, respectively.
Inventors: |
Kerboul; Guillaume (Quimper,
FR), Truscott; James William (Swindon, GB),
Weekes; Stuart G. (Oxford, GB) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kerboul; Guillaume
Truscott; James William
Weekes; Stuart G. |
Quimper
Swindon
Oxford |
N/A
N/A
N/A |
FR
GB
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
TECOMET, INC (Warsaw,
IN)
|
Family
ID: |
48572703 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/713,137 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20130150906 A1 |
Jun 13, 2013 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61570082 |
Dec 13, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
17/808 (20130101); A61F 2/4611 (20130101); A61B
17/7074 (20130101); A61F 2002/30593 (20130101); A61F
2002/30787 (20130101); A61F 2002/30777 (20130101); A61F
2002/30774 (20130101); A61F 2002/30538 (20130101); A61F
2002/4629 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
17/70 (20060101); A61B 17/80 (20060101); A61F
2/46 (20060101); A61F 2/30 (20060101); A61F
2/44 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;606/86A,86R,99
;623/17.11-17.16 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Robert; Eduardo C
Assistant Examiner: Eckman; Michelle C
Attorney, Agent or Firm: AKC Patents LLC Collins; Aliki
K.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application
Ser. No. 61/570,082 filed on Dec. 13, 2011 and entitled SYSTEM AND
METHOD FOR A LOCKABLE POLYAXIAL DRIVER TOOL, which is commonly
assigned and the contents of which are expressly incorporated
herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A polyaxial driver system for inserting and setting the angular
orientation of an implant comprising: an elongated component
extending along a main axis and comprising an elongated tubular
sheath and an elongated shaft disposed within the tubular sheath; a
distal component configured to be pivotally connected to a distal
end of the elongated shaft and comprising a tubular body extending
along said main axis and a spherical head dimensioned to fit and
move freely within the tubular body; and wherein a proximal end of
the elongated shaft comprises a first set of outer threads and a
proximal end of the elongated tubular sheath comprises inner
threads shaped and dimensioned to engage the first set of outer
threads of the elongated shaft and wherein rotating the elongated
tubular sheath clockwise or counter-clockwise moves the elongated
shaft forward or backward along the main axis, respectively;
wherein the distal end of the elongated shaft comprises a second
set of outer threads and wherein said second set of outer threads
are shaped and dimensioned to engage inner threads formed in the
distal component and wherein rotating the elongated shaft clockwise
or counter-clockwise causes said second set of outer threads to
engage or disengage the inner threads of the distal component and
thereby the elongated shaft engages or disengages the distal
component, respectively; wherein the spherical head is configured
to move longitudinally along the main axis and to pivot relative to
the main axis within the tubular body; and wherein the system
further comprises a setscrew having a threaded body and head and
wherein the tubular body of the distal component comprises a slot
extending along the main axis and having a width smaller the
diameter of the setscrew head and larger than the diameter of the
setscrew threaded body.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the spherical head further
comprises a threaded opening dimensioned to receive the setscrew
and wherein screwing the setscrew into the spherical head threaded
opening secures the position and angular orientation of the
spherical head within the tubular body and relative to the main
axis.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a rod extending from
the spherical head and wherein the spherical head is oriented
within the tubular body of the distal component so that the rod is
positioned outside of the tubular body at all times.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein said rod comprises outer threads
shaped and dimensioned to engage inner threads formed within an
opening of an implant.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein said rod comprises a bayonet
connector and is configure to connect to an implant via the bayonet
connector.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein said handle comprises a
cylindrical body having a thumb indentation configured to provide
tactile control of the orientation of an implant attached to the
distal component.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a handle configured to
be attached to the proximal end of the elongated shaft.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the tubular
sheath comprises the tubular body of the distal component.
9. A method for inserting and setting the angular orientation of an
implant comprising: providing an elongated component extending
along a main axis and comprising an elongated tubular sheath and an
elongated shaft disposed within the tubular sheath; providing a
distal component and pivotally connecting the distal component to a
distal end of the elongated shaft; wherein the distal component
comprises a tubular body extending along said main axis and a
spherical head dimensioned to fit and move freely within the
tubular body; and wherein a proximal end of the elongated shaft
comprises a first set of outer threads and a proximal end of the
elongated tubular sheath comprises inner threads shaped and
dimensioned to engage the first set of outer threads of the
elongated shaft and wherein rotating the elongated tubular sheath
clockwise or counter-clockwise moves the elongated shaft forward or
backward along the main axis, respectively; wherein the distal end
of the elongated shaft comprises a second set of outer threads and
wherein said second set of outer threads are shaped and dimensioned
to engage inner threads formed in the distal component and wherein
rotating the elongated shaft clockwise or counter-clockwise causes
said second set of outer threads to engage or disengage the inner
threads of the distal component and thereby the elongated shaft
engages or disengages the distal component, respectively; wherein
the spherical head is configured to move longitudinally along the
main axis and to pivot relative to the main axis within the tubular
body; and providing a setscrew having a threaded body and head and
wherein the tubular body of the distal component comprises a slot
extending along the main axis and having a width smaller the
diameter of the setscrew head and larger than the diameter of the
setscrew threaded body.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the spherical head further
comprises a threaded opening dimensioned to receive the setscrew
and wherein screwing the setscrew into the spherical head threaded
opening secures the position and angular orientation of the
spherical head within the tubular body and relative to the main
axis.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising: attaching an implant
to the distal component; setting and locking the position and
angular orientation of the distal component relative to the main
axis; rotating the elongated tubular sheath clockwise to move the
elongated shaft forward along the main axis over the setscrew; and
inserting the implant.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a rod
extending from the spherical head and wherein the spherical head is
oriented within the tubular body of the distal component so that
the rod is positioned outside of the tubular body at all times.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said rod comprises outer
threads shaped and dimensioned to engage inner threads formed
within an opening of an implant.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein said rod comprises a bayonet
connector and is configure to connect to an implant via the bayonet
connector.
15. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a handle
configured to be attached to the proximal end of the elongated
shaft.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said handle comprises a
cylindrical body having a thumb indentation configured to provide
tactile control of the orientation of an implant attached to the
distal component.
17. The method of claim 9, wherein a distal end of the tubular
sheath comprises the tubular body of the distal component.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and a method for a driver
tool for inserting a surgically implantable device, and in
particular, to a driver that is lockable and transfers motion to
the implantable device through a polyaxial joint.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In spine surgical procedures intervertebral spacers, spinal cages
or connecting elements, such as rods, plates or wires are implanted
and fixed between two adjacent vertebras or two or more other
locations of the spine. Placement of these spacers, cages,
connecting elements or other implants is desirably performed via
minimally invasive spinal surgeries. The orientation of these
implants during implantation is critical for the overall success of
the procedure. Accordingly there is a need for improved methods,
tools and devices that allow insertion of spinal implants in a
controlled orientation via minimally invasive surgery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a driver tool for inserting a
surgically implantable device. The driver is lockable in a precise
orientation and transfers motion to the implantable device through
a polyaxial joint. In the unlocked position the driver provides
polyaxial orientation of the implantable device.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a polyaxial
driver system for inserting and setting the angular orientation of
an implant including an elongated component and a distal component.
The elongated component extends along a main axis and includes an
elongated tubular sheath and an elongated shaft disposed within the
tubular sheath. The distal component is pivotally connected to a
distal end of the elongated shaft and includes a tubular body
extending along the main axis and a spherical head dimensioned to
fit and move freely within the tubular body. A proximal end of the
elongated shaft includes a first set of outer threads and a
proximal end of the elongated tubular sheath includes inner threads
shaped and dimensioned to engage the first set of outer threads of
the elongated shaft. Rotating the elongated tubular sheath
clockwise or counter-clockwise moves the elongated shaft forward or
backward along the main axis, respectively.
Implementations of this aspect of the invention may include one or
more of the following features. The distal end of the elongated
shaft includes a second set of outer threads. The second set of
outer threads are shaped and dimensioned to engage inner threads
formed in the distal component. Rotating the elongated shaft
clockwise or counter-clockwise causes the second set of outer
threads to engage or disengage the inner threads of the distal
component and thereby the elongated shaft engages or disengages the
distal component, respectively. The spherical head is configured to
move longitudinally along the main axis and to pivot relative to
the main axis within the tubular body. The system further includes
a setscrew having a threaded body and a head. The tubular body of
the distal component includes a slot extending along the main axis
and having a width smaller than the diameter of the setscrew head
and larger than the diameter of the setscrew threaded body. The
spherical head further includes a threaded opening dimensioned to
receive the setscrew. Screwing the setscrew into the spherical head
threaded opening secures the position and angular orientation of
the spherical head within the tubular body and relative to the main
axis. The system further includes a rod extending from the
spherical head. The spherical head is oriented within the tubular
body of the distal component so that the rod is positioned outside
of the tubular body at all times. The rod has outer threads shaped
and dimensioned to engage inner threads formed within an opening of
an implant. The rod has a bayonet connector and is configure to
connect to an implant via the bayonet connector. The system further
includes a handle configured to be attached to the proximal end of
the elongated shaft. The handle has a cylindrical body having a
thumb indentation configured to provide tactile control of the
orientation of an implant attached to the distal component. A
distal end of the tubular sheath includes the tubular body of the
distal component.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method for
inserting and setting the angular orientation of an implant
including the following. First, providing an elongated component
extending along a main axis and comprising an elongated tubular
sheath and an elongated shaft disposed within the tubular sheath.
Next, providing a distal component and pivotally connecting the
distal component to a distal end of the elongated shaft. The distal
component includes a tubular body extending along the main axis and
a spherical head dimensioned to fit and move freely within the
tubular body. A proximal end of the elongated shaft includes a
first set of outer threads and a proximal end of the elongated
tubular sheath includes inner threads shaped and dimensioned to
engage the first set of outer threads of the elongated shaft.
Rotating the elongated tubular sheath clockwise or
counter-clockwise moves the elongated shaft forward or backward
along the main axis, respectively. The spherical head includes a
threaded opening dimensioned to receive a setscrew. Screwing the
setscrew into the spherical head threaded opening secures the
position and angular orientation of the spherical head within the
tubular body and relative to the main axis. The method further
includes attaching an implant to the distal component, setting and
locking the position and angular orientation of the distal
component relative to the main axis, rotating the elongated tubular
sheath clockwise to move the elongated shaft forward along the main
axis over the setscrew and inserting the implant.
Among the advantages of this invention may be one or more of the
following. The lockable polyaxial driver tool of this invention
provides flexibility and accuracy in the positioning and
orientation of an implant. The precise orientation of the implant
may reduce the duration of the surgical procedure and may
contribute to the overall therapeutic success of the surgery.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set
forth in the accompanying drawings and description below. Other
features, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent
from the following description of the preferred embodiments, the
drawings and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals represent like
parts throughout the several views:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lockable polyaxial driver of this
invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end of the
lockable polyaxial driver of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the distal end of the lockable
polyaxial driver of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the distal end of the lockable polyaxial
driver of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged top view of the distal end of the lockable
polyaxial driver of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the handle connection to
the lockable polyaxial driver of FIG. 1;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a driver tool for inserting a
surgically implantable device. The driver tool includes a handle
and an elongated shaft with a polyaxially attachable distal end.
The orientation of the distal end is lockable and transfers motion
to the implantable device through a polyaxial joint. In the
unlocked position the driver provides at least three degrees of
freedom motion to the implantable device.
Referring to FIG. 1, driver tool 100 includes an elongated
component 120, a handle 110 and a distal component 130. The
elongated component 120 extends along axis 82 and includes an
elongated tubular outer sheath 125 and an elongated shaft 126
disposed within the outer sheath 125. The proximal end 126a of the
elongated shaft 126 is attached to the handle 110 and includes a
first set of outer threads 122. Outer threads 122 are shaped and
dimensioned to engage inner threads 123 formed in the inner surface
of the proximal end of outer sheath 125. Rotating the outer sheath
125 clockwise or counter-clockwise threads the first set of outer
threads 122 into or out of the outer sheath 125 and moves the
elongated shaft 126 forward or backward along the directions 82a or
82b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6.
Referring to FIG. 2, the distal end 126b of the elongated shaft 126
includes a second set of outer threads 128. Outer threads 128 are
shaped and dimensioned to engage inner threads formed in the distal
component 130. Rotating the handle 110 clockwise or
counter-clockwise threads the outer threads 128 into or out of the
distal component 130 and thereby engages or disengages the distal
component 130, respectively. Distal component 130 includes a
cylindrically shaped tubular body 132 having a slot 134. Slot 134
is formed on the side surface of body 132, extends along the
elongated axis 82 and has a closed end 134a and an open-end 134b.
Distal component 130 also includes a spherical head 136 dimensioned
to fit and move freely within the tubular body 132. Spherical head
136 moves longitudinally along axis 82, and rotates around axis 82.
Spherical head 136 is also dimensioned to pivot relative to axis 82
and to assume any angle relative to the plane formed by the two
intersecting axes 84 and 86 that are perpendicular to axis 82 and
perpendicular to each other, as shown in FIG. 1. Spherical head 136
also includes a rod 137 extending from its base and the head 136 is
oriented within the tubular body 132, so that rod 137 is positioned
outside of the tubular body 132 at all times. Rod 137 includes
outer threads 138 at its distal end and the outer threads 138 are
shaped and dimensioned to engage inner threads formed in a cavity
or a through aperture 90a of the implant 90, as shown in FIG. 4.
Threading outer threads 138 into or out of threaded aperture 90a
attaches or detaches implant 90 to or from the driver tool 100,
respectively. The top of spherical head 136 also includes a
threaded opening 141 dimensioned to receive a setscrew 139.
Setscrew 139 includes a threaded body (not shown) and a head 139a.
Setscrew head 139a has a diameter that is slightly larger than the
width of the elongated slot 134 and the threaded body has a
diameter that is slightly smaller than the width of the elongated
slot 134. The dimensions of the set screw 139 are chosen so that
the threaded body is placed through the elongated slot 134 and is
threaded into the threaded opening 141 of the spherical head 136
and the setscrew head 139a remains above the elongated slot 134,
thereby securing the orientation of the spherical head 136 within
the tubular body 132. The setscrew head 139a includes a slot 142
used for engaging a screwdriver. Handle 110 includes a cylindrical
body having a thumb indentation 111 used to provide tactile control
of the implant 90 orientation.
In operation, implant 90 is attached to the distal component 130 by
threading threads 138 into the aperture 90a and then its
orientation is set relative to the plane defined by the
intersecting axes 84, 86 at any desired angle by pivoting and
rotating the spherical head 136 within the tubular body 132. Once
the implant's desired orientation is set, the set screw 139 is
placed through the elongated slot 134 and is screwed into the
spherical head opening 141 to secure the spherical head 136 within
the tubular body 132 and to prevent it from any further movement.
Next, the outer sheath 125 is rotated clockwise to move its
position along direction 82a until its distal end 125a is placed
over the tubular body 132. In this configuration, the distal end
125a of the tubular sheath 125 covers the access to the setscrew
139 and provides a smooth outer surface. The implant 90 then is
implanted in the desired location and then the handle 110 is
rotated counterclockwise to disengage the rod 137 from the implant
90. The lockable polyaxial driver tool 100 is used to implant a
spinal cage, or any other intervertebral implant, or any other
implant that requires precise orientation.
Other embodiments include one or more of the following. Distal
component 130 and the tubular outer sheath 125 form a single
component. Rod 138 may be attached to the spherical head 136 via a
bayonet fitting.
Several embodiments of the present invention have been described.
Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of
the following claims.
* * * * *